Vancouver City Add-On
Canada
The gateway to some of Canada's best skiing and a hub for outdoor adventure itself, no British Columbia ski holiday is complete without a Vancouver city add-on.
- Culture
- Family Friendly
- Honeymoons
- Luxury
- Nightlife
Set beside the Pacific Ocean, against a backdrop of snow-capped mountains, Vancouver is one of the world's most desirable cities.
Vibrant and trendy yet relaxed and manageable, spending a few nights in Vancouver is, for us, a no-brainer. The city's compact centre is hugely cosmopolitan yet the wild surroundings make it feel like a frontier town, with the Coast Range Mountains on one side, and the Pacific Ocean on the other.
Passing through on your way to and from Whistler, Sun Peaks, Big White and Silver Star, it's easy to stop here at the beginning or end of your ski holiday. You could also visit as part of a Vancouver Island Ski Safari, an Okanagan Explorer Ski Safari or even a Whistler & Hawaii Ski & Sun twin-centre!
If time is short, we suggest starting with the historic streets and lively bars of Gastown, the local delicacies and artisan crafts of Granville Island, and the iconic shops on Robson Street.
With more time, you could go biking in Stanley Park and kayaking in False Bay, catch an ice hockey, lacrosse or football game, or reach new heights in the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park.
The craft beer pubs are our favourite spots to start an evening, while the restaurant scene is arguably Canada's best - don't miss the sushi and seafood, especially the local sockeye salmon, seasonal spot prawns and local Dungeness crab.
"I absolutely love Vancouver. It's a fantastic city with so much to see and do - great restaurants, excellent shopping, fabulous parks... definitely worth spending a few days here before or after your ski holiday."
Attractions
There's so much to see and do in Vancouver that it's impossible to list it all here, but this is what our team gets up to when we're in town:
Get active
- Stanley Park is made up of 1,000 acres of lush forest, open parks, biking and walking trails, beautiful beaches and cultural landmarks, all surrounded by the famous Seawall. Our favourite spot at Christmas when it's lit up with twinkling lights and in spring when the whole park is in bloom.
- Capilano Suspension Bridge Park is the best way to experience Vancouver's old-growth rainforest. A huge suspension bridge spanning the Capilano River is not the only attraction - more treetop delights await with the Treetops Adventure and Cliffwalk walkways and platforms.
Shopping
- The best high street shopping is at Robson Street, where you'll find every North American brand you can think of, plus the Pacific Centre shopping mall and famous Nordstrom department store.
- Granville Island is a great spot for market shopping. There’s a fab indoor food market, lots of craft shops and a good seafood restaurant called Sandbar. The best way to get there is by catching the Aquabus across False Creek from Hornby Street.
Sports and music
- The Rogers Arena is the home of the Vancouver Canucks NHL team, Vancouver Warriors lacrosse team and also regularly hosts huge international musicians and comedians.
- If visiting in spring, you might be able to catch a Whitecaps FC game at the impressive BC Place Stadium.
- Vancouver has a thriving live music and comedy scene, so make sure you take a look at what's on well before you visit.
Sightseeing
- FlyOver Canada is a family-friendly flight simulator with wind, scents and mist. Footage has been filmed and produced by the incredible Sherpa Cinemas, responsible for some of the best ski and snowboarding movies ever made.
- Jump on the Hop-On Hop-Off bus which runs throughout the city, playing a pre-recorded commentary.
- Join a guided food, beer or wine tour to try some of the best bars and restaurants in Vancouver.
- Book a sightseeing trip on a seaplane for a fantastic aerial view of Vancouver and the surrounding mountains.
- Vancouver's Science Museum is great on a rainy day, as is Vancouver Aquarium.
Our prices
Every holiday is tailor-made, just for you.
To give you the most choice and best value, we create every holiday from scratch. This means that the quotation you receive is unique, based on your preferred departure dates, group size and holiday preferences.
We save you time and get the most for your money.
We sift through the prices and promotions for every airline, hotel and resort, exploring all options. We don’t publish all our prices online. Instead, we give personal quotations within 1-2 days of receiving your request.
